What is an Agile model?

Agile can be defined as “simple or flexible.” The Agile process model refers to a software development method based on iterative design. Agile methods can break down tasks into smaller parts or do not require long-term planning. At the beginning of every development phase, the scope and requirements for the project are established. Then, iterations are planned and include details about the duration, scope, and number.

Each iteration in Agile is considered a “frame,” which can last anywhere from one to four weeks. This division of the project into smaller pieces helps reduce project risk and shortens project delivery times. Each iteration requires a team to work through the entire software development cycle, including design, testing, planning, and requirements analysis.

Agile software development is software development that revolves around iterative design. This means that requirements and solutions are created through collaboration between cross-functional teams. As a result, Agile development has the ultimate benefit of allowing teams to deliver more value faster, better quality and predictability, and greater ability to adapt to changes. Two of the most popular Agile methods are Kanban and Scrum. Here are some frequently asked questions about Agile Certification and Scrum that our experts have answered.

What is Agile?

Agile software development is a set of software development methods based on iterative software development. This means that requirements and solutions are created through collaboration between cross-functional teams. Agile methodologies or Agile processes promote disciplined project management that encourages frequent inspections and adaptations, a leadership philosophy encouraging teamwork, self-organization, accountability, and a set of engineering best practices that allow for rapid delivery and alignment of development with company goals and customer needs. Agile development is any process of development that aligns with the Agile Manifesto. The Manifesto was created by a group that included 14 leaders in the software industry. It reflects their experiences of which approaches work best for software development. Learn more about the Agile Manifesto. 

What is Scrum?

Agile is one subset of Scrum. It is the most popular Agile development framework and lightweight process framework.

A “process framework” refers to specific practices that must be used for a process or project to follow the framework. For example, Scrum requires that you use Sprints as development cycles, while XP requires that you use pair programming.

To maximize productivity and time for useful work, “lightweight” refers to a process with as little overhead as possible.

Improve the quality of deliverables

Be more flexible with change and be ready for it.

You can get better estimates and spend less time creating them

Take more control over the project’s schedule and state

Agile Model

The phases of the Agile Model

The following are the phases of the Agile model:

• Gathering of requirements
• Design the requirements
• Construction/ Iteration
• Testing/Quality assurance
• Deployment
• Feedback

1. Gathering requirements: This phase is where you need to define the requirements. It is important to explain the business opportunities and the time and effort required to complete the project. This information will help you determine your project’s technical and economic feasibility.
2. Design the requirements: Once you have identified the project’s scope, meet with stakeholders to create requirements. You can use the UML diagram (or the user flow diagram) to illustrate the process to show new features.
3. Construction/ Iteration: Work can begin once the requirements are defined. Developers and designers begin to work on the project. The goal is to create a functional product. It will go through various stages of development with minimal functionality.
4. Testing: This phase is where the Quality Assurance team reviews the product’s performance to find bugs.
5. Deployment: This phase is when the team issues a product to the user’s workplace.
6. Feedback: The last step after releasing the product is feedback. The team then receives feedback and reviews the product.

Methods for Agile Development

• Scrum
• Crystal
• Dynamic Software Development Method (DSDM)
• FDD (Feature Driven Development)
• Lean Software Development
• eXtreme Programming (XP)

Scrum

SCRUM stands for Scrum, an Agile development process that focuses primarily on managing tasks in team-based development situations.

It has three roles, and they all have responsibilities:

Scrum Master: This scrum master can organize the meeting, set up the master team, and remove obstacles.

Product owner: This is the person who creates the product backlog and prioritizes delays. They also have responsibility for the distribution of functionality at each repetition.

Scrum Team: This team organizes and manages the work required to complete the sprints or cycles.

eXtreme Programming (XP)

This method is useful when customers have constantly changing requirements or needs or when the system’s performance is unclear.

Crystal:

This method can be described in three ways.

Chartering: This phase involves multiple activities such as forming a development team, performing feasibility analyses, creating plans, etc.

Cyclic delivery: Under this, there are two additional cycles. These are:

The team is updating the release plan.

The integrated product delivers the user’s needs.

Wrap up: This phase conducts deployment post-deployment depending on the user environment.

Dynamic Software Development Method (DSDM)

DSDM allows for rapid software development and provides an Agile project distribution system. DSDM’s key features include active user connections and the ability for teams to make decisions. These are the techniques that are used in DSDM:

• Time Boxing
• Moscow Rules
• Prototyping
• Seven stages are part of the DSDM Project:
• Pre-project
• Feasibility Study
• Business Study
• Functional Model Iteration
• Iteration design and construction
• Implementation
• Post-project

FDD (Feature Driven Development):

This method is focused on “Designing and Building” features. Unlike other smart methods, FDD focuses on the steps that must be taken to achieve each function separately.

Lean Software Development

The “just in time production” principle is the basis for lean software development. Lean software development is characterized by a faster and more cost-effective software development process. The seven phases of lean development can be summarized as follows:

• Eliminating Waste
• Enhance learning
• You can defer your commitment and decide as late as you can
• Early delivery
• Empowering your team
• Integrity Building
• Optimize the whole

When should you use the Agile Model?

• If frequent changes are necessary.
• If you have a team of highly qualified, experienced professionals available.
• If a customer is available to meet with a team of software developers all the time.
• If the project is small.

Advantages (Pros) of the Agile 

Method

• Frequent delivery
• Face-to-Face communication with clients
• Design that is efficient and meets the business requirements.
• All changes are welcome.
• This reduces the total development time.

The disadvantages (Cons) of the Agile 

Model

• The lack of formal documents can confuse, and other team members can misinterpret key decisions made during different phases.
• Lack of documentation can make it difficult to maintain the project after the project is completed and developers have allocated another project.

Conclusion

Scrum is distinguished from other Agile processes through specific concepts and practices. These are divided into three categories: Roles, Artifacts, and Time Boxes. These terms and others are used in Scrum. Scrum is used most frequently to manage complex software development and product development. Iterative and incremental methods are used. Scrum is a way to increase productivity and speed up the delivery of benefits instead of traditional “waterfall” processes. Organizations can adapt quickly to changing requirements and create a product that meets their evolving business goals using agile processes. An Agile benefits an organization by allowing it to be more flexible and adaptable.